Moon Township, Pa. - August 31, 2009 - Robert Morris University junior middle blocker Amanda Graham (Melbourne, Fla. / Eau Gallie) and freshman opposite Amanda Craig (Houston, Texas / St. Agnes Academy) took home the first NEC weekly honors of the 2009 campaign after leading the Colonials to a 3-1 record in the Duquesne/Robert Morris Invitational. Graham was named NEC Player of the Week and Craig grabbed NEC Rookie honors. This is the third consecutive year a Colonial has taken home the first NEC rookie award of the season.
Throughout the weekend Graham collected 47 kills, 17 blocks and a .408 hitting percentage, which led the team. The Florida native started off the weekend with 11 kills, six blocks and two service aces against Loyola (Md.) and recorded another six blocks against Bowling Green. The following day, she tied a career-high 20 kills on a team high hitting percentage of .545. She wrapped up the tournament leading the team with nine kills against Howard on a .412 hitting percentage and added three blocks. She was named to the all-tournament team for her performance.
In Craig's rookie debut she tallied nine kills and nine digs against Loyola (Md.) and finished with a team high 13 digs against Bowling Green. She was one of three Colonials to tally double-digit kills against Radford with 13 and also added four blocks. In the final match of the tournament, Craig compiled six kills with a hitting percentage of .455. Over the course of the weekend she recorded 37 kills, which was second on the team and also added 29 digs and 11 blocks.
The Colonials host Cleveland State on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 7:00 p.m. and then head to University Park, Pa. to take on cross-town rival Pitt on Friday, Sept 4, two-time defending national champion Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 5 and Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 5.
